Tuesday, December 22, 2009

LA Cupcake Tour Powered by Chevy

Best of Tours Cupcake Tour

When I got an email from Tara of When Tara Met Blog inviting me to join her LA Cupcake Meetup Group for a tour of 4 cupcake shops in LA, I was pretty stoked. When I learned that we would also be chauffeured in a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and 2010 Chevrolet Camaro convoy courtesy of Chevrolet and @BestOfTours, how in the heck could I say no to that? On the day of the actual tour, there were gray skies and imminent rain, but I wasn't going to be deterred by a little bit of water. Our meeting place was at the Pacific Design Center, to which I happily drove to.

More ...

Best of Tours Cupcake Tour

Once I arrived, I saw the Camaro and the Equinoxes waiting to whisk us away. After a group shot was taken of the Cupcake Crew, off we went to our first stop. By the way, photo credit for the Group Shot goes to Tara.

Best of Tours Cupcake Tour
Best of Tours Cupcake Tour
Best of Tours Cupcake Tour

Crumbs Bake Shop was our first stop on the tour and soon after we arrived, we were met by the owner of Crumbs, Harley. I have to say that of all the stops we visited that day, Crumbs was the most gracious. We were offered free water, coffee or whatever beverage we wanted. Our cupcakes were pre-packed in larger plastic containers, but when we asked for individual plastic containers and bags, Harley graciously complied. First cupcake of the day was a Vanilla Cupcake with Raspberry and it was my second favorite one of the day.

Best of Tours Cupcake Tour: Crumbs
Best of Tours Cupcake Tour: Crumbs
Best of Tours Cupcake Tour: Crumbs
Best of Tours Cupcake Tour: Crumbs
Best of Tours Cupcake Tour: Crumbs

Our second stop was at Sprinkles Cupcakes and since it was so close, we simply walked on over there. When we arrived, it was pretty crowded inside, but our cupcakes were prepared in boxes ahead of time. We had a choice between chocolate, vanilla and red velvet. I zeroed in on the Red Velvet Cupcake and it was moist, delicious and was my number #1 favorite of the entire cupcake tour.

Best of Tours Cupcake Tour:  Sprinkles
Best of Tours Cupcake Tour:  Sprinkles
Best of Tours Cupcake Tour:  Sprinkles
Best of Tours Cupcake Tour:  Sprinkles
Best of Tours Cupcake Tour:  Sprinkles

Susie Cakes was our third stop and was all the way in Brentwood. By that time, it was really starting to pour, but with a great driver and a comfy ride, all was still well with the world and the cupcake tour. One small regret as we were driving to SusieCakes is that we couldn't make a stop at Compartes, one of my favorite chocolate shops and just around the corner from Susie Cakes. Maybe, a Best of LA Chocolate Tour should be next? Hint. Hint. There is a no photo policy rule at Susie Cakes, but the Owner relaxed it just for our visit. Though known for their strawberry cupcake, I went for their seasonal Gingerbread Cupcake with Cream Cheese Frosting. It was even topped with gingerbread men shaped sprinkles. Unfortunately, while I liked the flavor, the cupcake was a bit too dry for my liking.

Best of Tours Cupcake Tour:  Susie Cakes
Best of Tours Cupcake Tour:  Susie Cakes
Best of Tours Cupcake Tour:  Susie Cakes
Best of Tours Cupcake Tour:  Susie Cakes
Best of Tours Cupcake Tour:  Susie Cakes

Our last and final stop was at Vanilla Bake Shop in Santa Monica. Our group arrived a little later, so we missed the commotion of the manager demanding that no one took pictures of anything inside the store. Since I didn't hear the request, I went ahead and took pictures anyway. From Vanilla Bake Shop, I tried their Spicy Carrot Cupcake. Unfortunately, it was my least favorite cupcake of the day. For one thing, calling this cupcake spicy was a total misnomer. I was expecting a little heat, but didn't get any. Also, it was even drier than the Gingerbread Cupcake from Susie Cakes. A couple of bites were enough for me and I was done.

Best of Tours Cupcake Tour:  Vanilla Bake Shop
Best of Tours Cupcake Tour:  Vanilla Bake Shop
Best of Tours Cupcake Tour:  Vanilla Bake Shop

After four cupcakes and many miles of being driven around, we finally ended up back at the Pacific Design Center where we were presented with a gift bag of goodies. Overall, it was a fun few hours of Cupcakes, Chevrolet Cars and hanging with the Cupcake Crew. You can follow future Chevy Best of Tours on Twitter via @BestOfTours

Best of Tours Cupcake Tour

Click here to see all 65 photos taken that day!

Crumbs Bake Shop
9465 S Santa Monica Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 550-9811

Sprinkles Cupcakes
9635 Santa Monica Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 274-8765

Susie Cakes
11708 San Vicente Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 442-2253

Vanilla Bake Shop
512 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401-1404
(310) 458-6644


Other Posts About the Event:

Happy Go Marni: Scavenging Los Angeles Cupcakeries in Chevy Camaro and Equinox with Best of Tours

LAist: Tuesday is National Cupcake Day. So Who Has the Best?

LA/OC Foodventures: Special Foodventures #147: Thankfulness for Cupcake Tour around L.A.

Let Me Eat Cake: Cupcake Coma

Pretty Sandy Feet: Cupcakes and Wedding Dresses

Tara met Blog: Best of LA Cupcakes Tour with Chevy

Edmunds.com’s Inside Line Straightline blog: Chevrolet Goes on Cupcake Tour in L.A.





^

No comments: